Hard to dominate When You Give It Away.

A hazy fog and light mist surrounded Nash Central football field.  The Rocky Mount offense played in a haze for most of the game having a pass intercepted and returned 99 yards for a Bulldog touchdown, two fumbles one near the red zone another after a first down drive started and to top it all off a dropped snap on a punt that was partially blocked and set up the Bulldogs for what could have been a game winning touchdown.

The Rocky Mount defense was not affected by the haze that the offense had was holding the Bulldogs to 11 yards rushing for the game.  Nash Central cover 126 by the pass including 53 in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.  The play from quarterback Travis Griffin to Jay Smith.  The Bulldogs rose the lead to 14 on a pick six by Kendall Winston who took it more than 99 yards picking off Mckenzy Wright.

It took until the 5:17 mark of the first half before the Gryphons crossed the goal line on a Charlie Williams run.  Chase Miller added the extra point.  Down to 17 seconds in the half the Gryphons tie the score on another Williams's score.

The Gryphons got the lead on a Shabios Lynch to K J Edwards 26 yard touchdown pass at 2:16 of the third and to go along with the Haze the extra point went under the goal post to give the Gryphons a 20-14 lead and left plenty of suspense yet to come.

For the night the Gryphons rushed for 219 yards led by Jaylen Watson's 102.  He had 66 called back after the Gryphons were lined up to run a play when they were called for having too many men on the field from the running play.  Don't get me started about officials.  Several times the yard mark was two or three yards from where the ball actually was lined up.  The Gryphons passed 5-12 for 86 yards

When the Gryphons needed them the defense was there including Nash Central on the Rocky Mount side of the field in the fourth quarter twice.  One happen that has formed from this year's team they have put the ball on the ground multiple times in Edenton, Hoke County ad now Nash Central.  If this continues there are teams ahead would will score.  Gryphons  survive a Bulldog scare 20-14

Other scores
Northern Nash 6 Hunt 3
Southern Nash 49 Fike  14
RMA 60 St David's 8
SouthWestEdgecombe 50 North Pitt 8

Notre Dame Makes First Visit To Raleigh

High school football Wednesday night Tarboro 42 South Creek 0

There are not many teams that the fighting Irish of Notre Dame have a losing record to.  The Wolfpack is one if them as the Pack beat the Irish in the 2003 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville led by Philip Rivers.  This game is a 12 noon kickoff and is going on ABC nationally at noon Saturday.   At 1-3 the Irish have already played more noon games than in any season as most of the time they are the darlings of network tv in prime time.

Notre Dame 1-3 At NC State 3-1.  Before season started this was the first game of a four week stretch for the Wolfpack Notre Dame, Louisville, Clemson and FSU.  All of a sudden the Irish and Noles are winnable games.  I suspect Carter Finley's top would blow off if it had one from the excitement of this big chance. State always pulls an upset at least one every year and they will win this one 33-28.

North Carolina Wesleyan 2-2 at Maryville 3-1:  Both teams are 1-0 along with Ferrum and Averitt.  Maryville was picked second behind Huntingdon who the Bishops took down last week. If the Bishops win this one they have a leg up on everybody having knocked off the top two in preseason.  Bishops 36 Maryville 34

Virginia Tech 3-1 at North Carolina 4-1:  The Hokies are much improved over last season but the way Carolina has become Tech will need forty to win this one and I don't see the Tech offense can score enough on the porous Tar Heel Defense.  Doubt the Heels only win by one.  Carolina 42 Virginia Tech 28.

ECU 2-3 at South Florida 4-1:  Pirates are playing poorly but the truth be told only their opening win did they look good.  If the Pirates don't get their act together this could be a blowout.  South Fla 43 ECU 26

Army 3-1 at Duke 2-3:  Which Duke team will show up.  Even though they are 3-1 the Cadets of the Hudson really haven't beaten a real power house in the bunch.  Duke 26 Army 17

Syracuse 2-3 at Wake Forest 4-1:  Maybe the most interesting game of the weekend.  Question is either team very good?  Wake looked like the Pack was going to blow them away but made score respectable.  None of the Orange losses have been close.  Wake 31 Cuse 23

FSU 3-2 at Miami 4-0:  Talk about an intriguing game.  This might be Worse Seminole team in 30 years.  The Question is, is Miami really that good.  If Noles are to get any where close to a top tier bowl game they can't lose this game but to me seems this FSU team doesn't have the heart other teams have had.  Miami 38 FSU 31

Georgia Tech 3-2 at Pitt 3-2:  Do you realize every game this week so far could go the other way. I have liked Pitt every time I see them play.  Pitt 38 Georgia Tech 28

Clemson 5-0 at Boston College 3-2:  After the big win over Louisville this could be a trap game but I just don't see that BC has any wins against a quality team.    Clemson 45 BC 10

It's Time For Real Football

I do my high school picks on Thursday but with everyone moving to varsity games to Thursday going to flip flop the NFL picks to Thursday and today the high schools.

We are down to nothing but conference games so the number of games has dwindled in the picks this week.  Last week only had three games played and went 2-1 to register my picks to 43-11.   Time for the quest for the playoffs to start.

SouthWest Edgecombe 1-5 @ North Pitt 1-5:  North has played a quality schedule with four of their losses have been to teams with a combined 19-4 record.   The Cougars have nothing to be ashamed of with their schedule.   North Pitt 34 SWE 28

North Edgecombe 5-0 at Rocky Mount Prep 3-3:  Prep is having one of their best seasons at 3-3.  The Warriors are in the middle of year two of top notch football and should have no problem with the Jags.  Warriors 38 Jags 6

Tarboro 4-2 @ South Creek 1-5:  Don't be alarmed that the Vikings have two losses as both were to fairly good 3A schools in a 4 day period Northern Nash and Southern Nash.  South Creek is not in their league of quality.  This game has been moved to tonight instead of Thursday.  Tarboro 34  South Creek 0.

Northern Nash 4-2 @ Hunt 3-3:  Northern defense has played great all year except for one quarter against Northeastern.  Hunt this season is not a four yards and a cloud of dust team that can dominant the football.  I'll take the Knights 20-14. By the way just in case you did not see this Monday night.  Hunt beat Cornith Holders 30-7.

Fike 4-2 @ Southern Nash 6-0:  Both these teams have played a couple of teams alike and in all cases  the Firebirds numbers compare favorably in all cases with Fike's numbers.  No one can sweep through the league undefeated unless you win the first on.  Southern Nash 38 Fike 24

Rocky Mount 5-1 @ Nash Central 4-2:  The shoe will be on the Gryphons foot just like Southern Must win the first to play a biggie later on with Southern.  Nash Central has improved on offense and can put points on the board.  The Gryphons have had moments of defense dominance but passing biggest exposed part.  No one has held the Gryphon Offense down.  The Question is can the Bulldogs score enough to pull and upset.  Gryphons 42 Nash Central 20.

Finally the Eagles of RMA have hit the meat of their schedule,RMA 6-0 @ St Davids 5-1.  Southampton knocked off ST Davids last week for their only loss.  Southampton the only other undefeated team left in 8 man football.  RMA  34 St Davids 32

Sorry to hear that NorthEast Carolina Prep has so many injuries that they don't have enough players to finish season and have forfeited their remaining games.

Will Brian Goodwin Make Nationals Playoff Roster

     All Thursday night JV football games in the Big East have been moved to Wednesday night at 6;30.  All varsity football games scheduled for Friday have been move to Thursday night at 7:00pm.  This change made due to uncertainty of the approaching hurricane.


Former Rocky Mount Gryphon Brian Goodwin who got his second call up from AAA Syracuse in Late August had a taste of Big League Baseball but the big question is was his stay enough to make the Washington Nationals playoff roster.

Goodwin's stay in the big leagues produced 42 at bats. A Total of 12 hits giving Brian  a career batting average of 286.  He had four doubles, a triple in his 12 hits.  Goodwin's chance of making the playoff roster has several obstacles including former Syracuse teammate Trea Turner becoming the best lead off hitter in Nationals history.

Turner has converted to centerfield but his value is he can play short, second or all three outfield positions.  There is a real possibility that Turner could play second and Daniel Murphy first in certain games.  Murphy has been out the last two weeks and if he sits with injury Turner could move to second and give Goodwin an open spot.

The Nationals playoff roster has not been announced yet but as of Sunday the last day of the baseball season Brian is listed on the 25 man roster.  Once the playoffs start,  do you fill your roster with more than usual pitchers and that might leave Brian as odd man out.

If Goodwin is left off he might be the first alternate in waiting. Regardless of any injuries that occur during the divisional series injuries could be Brian's chance to make the National championship round if the National win round one  Werth, Harper and Zimmerman all have nagging injuries and if either Werth or Harper go down just might be Brian's chance.

If the season is over for Brian Goodwin he surely has given himself a great opportunity
 To make the roster next season or he has opened some eyes of other teams that might need an outfielder. Add his year in Syracuse Brian hit 285 in both Syracuse and Washington.  There is no doubt playing fall ball in Venezuela plus getting completely healthy has change Brian Goodwin's career and next season may be on a major league roster opening day.

The Quest For A Conference Title Starts This Week

Last week with the formula that I created I gave you a look at what every team in the Big East has done to date and rated their schedule.  Nothing matters of what has happened to date only the next five weeks tell all.  Here is where I think  the Big East is heading.

6th Hunt.   Since Hunt High School was opened I think in 1978 I don't think the Warriors have  ever finished last in any season.  Major changes have taken place thus far this season with a new football coach  and athletic director.  Hunt still has a game tonight but at this point only Big East team on short side on the win column.  I doubt they finish dead last but probably tied.

5th Nash Central.  I don't care who you are in the Big East you had better not count on a win by just showing up.  The Bulldogs can score but the biggest problem can they stop the upper tier teams who probably can slow they down some.  The  Bulldogs win at least one conference game.

4th Fike.  To date the most inconsistent team in the Big East has been the Golden Demons.  By this point  six  games in every team kind of has an idea one way or the other what direction they are headed.  Fike could be good enough to finish as high as third or could dip to last.

3rd Northern Nash.  They just may have the best defense in the Big East and if they don't let you score they might score enough to beat you.  Would like to remind everyone they are the only team in the last year and a half to hold the Gryphons under 20 points(13) last season.

I do think third to sixth just like most years could could flip flop depending on who continues to improve as the season goes on.  Now the top two.

2nd Southern Nash.  The Firebirds are better than they were last year.  If it turns out the way most figure they will host Rocky Mount in the conference game of the year.  As always have a big line and runners galore.  Their defense is better that last.

1st Rocky Mount.  Only team to give Middle  Creek a tussle. Dominated 4-a Hoke County and put 66 points up against Greenville Rose a team who is always a load against the Gryphons.  This year's offense might be better than last year but at this point the defense has had moments but not as good as last year. Unlike last year the Gryphons have had a couple of games with turnovers which cannot happen in the big games.

Starting Friday night they are all big.  As Jim Valvano use to say.  The more you win the more important the next game is.  I think Southern Nash and Rocky Mount could flip flop but unless either or both run into major injuries neither should be below second.  There is not a game either can afford to not be ready for.

Upset City

You have to give coach Jeff Filkovski of the Batting Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan credit.  He has done everything he can to play the top notch competition so far this season.  They opened the season against Stevenson a team that now is number 20 in D 3 football.  The second week they brought in the number one team in D 3 Mount Union.  Today's foe Huntingdon rank 15th and scoring 55 points per game is in the Wesleyan house.

The Hawks came right out and had the look of a team that could score in the 50's as they took just over two minutes to score with the opening drive on a 47 yard toss by quarterback Luke Bailey to Nick Haas to lead 7-0 after the extra by Chase Young.

The Bishops responded on their opening drive and scored on a Gerrel Patton one yard dive. Chris Richardson tied it at 7. The Hawks scored on their second tried at 2:39 of the first when JaMichael  Bibb caught a 17 yard td catch  and the Hawks are rolling. It took the Battling Bishops 12 seconds to tie the score as Malik Adam took the kickoff 92 yards and both teams have 14 points each and it is still the first quarter.

The second quarter the Bishops scored twice and they got two big picks on defense and the second by Bobby Tucker was in the end zone. The Bishops scores came from Gerrell Patton 15 yard score at 14-54 in the half and Malik Adams scored for the second time when he corralled a 3 yard pass from Nathan Gardner to make the score 28-14 at the half.

Half time USA South conference Commissioner Tom Hart presented the Battling Bishops with the Men's President Cup signifying North Carolina Wesleyan as the best mens sports program during the 2015-2016 sports season.

The Bishops came right out of the locker room and pushed their lead to 21 when Andrew Tyson snatched a 12 yard pass from Nathan Gardner to push the lead to 35-14 with 11:44 in the third.  The Hawks cut it to 14 and then seven after John Iwanick scored on a five yard run and again on a quarterback rub by Luke Bailey to cut the lead to 35-28. A Bishops field goal ended the third quarter at 38-28.

Both Defenses held each other to a field goal in the fourth but after the Hawks cut the lead to 38-31 the Bishops had a touchdown called back and a field goal taken off the board after the Hawks roughed Bishops kicker Chris Richardson.  The score was then 38-31 and had just over three minutes left when the Bishops used two more minutes off the clock when they settled for the final field goal with 38 second left to cushion the lead to the final 41-31.

The Hawks had 532 yards of offense while the Bishops just 429.  It was the first conference loss after winning their last nine for the Hawks.  The win sends the Bishops tied for the lead to Maryville the team picked for second in the USA South.  Not only have the Bishops. Played the meat of their schedule early but now faced the other team picked ahead of Bishops.

Slow Night On The Ball Field

You have to give the Eagles of RMA a lot of credit having had two games forfeited and a week off so they haven't played a game in a month.  Tonight they traveled to Kinston to take on Arendell Parrott the defending state champs who will be a test for a team that hasn't played in a month.

When the mud had been slopped through the Eagles of Rocky Mount Academy score a touchdown in each of the first three quarters to take a 20 to zero lead and just maybe not playing in a month shows up in the fourth quarter as Parrott puts on a 4th quarter rally scoring twice on passes to cut the lead to 20-12.  But when needed The Eagles put on a drive and get a field goal late and hold off Parrott 23-12.  The Eagles are 6-0 and 2-0 in conference.

Saturday North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops will have their second home game of the season.  It is mighty hard to have any better first two home games as the Bishops will have.  Their opener they played the top team in all Division three football in Mount Union.  Today they will play the team favored to win the conference USA South Huntingdon.

So far this season Huntingdon has a 3-0 record.  They just might not have a very good defense because in their three games to date they are giving up almost 34 points per game.  The problem the Bishops face is Huntingdon is scoring 55 per contest.  The game starts at 1pm at the sports complex.

A couple weeks back many high school teams had to alter their schedules to try to beat the tropical storm that passed.  Tarboro and Northern Nash were rained out on Friday night and decided to play ten days later causing three games in eight days for both.

Hunt had their game washed out on that Friday and washed out again that Monday.  Instead of trying to deal with a three games in eight days deal Hunt and Corinth Holders chose to play this past Wednesday.  Both were off  scheduled to be off tonight and wanted to play Wednesday night to give their players some time off before conference play starts next week.  Rained out, let's try again Thursday rained out again.  So both teams were forced to either cancell all together or play Friday which was suppose to be and off night.  Sorry rained out again.  They will try again at 6:30 Monday.

Just how much practice can any team have when you want to practice Monday and Tuesday for a Wednesday night game.  I am sure they didn't practice Wednesdsy, Thursday or Friday because they thought they were playing that night until cancelled.  Hunt plays Monday and can not start to get ready for Northern Nash until Tuesday.

Other Action
Northeast Carolina Prep at Pamlico postponed
Rocky Mount Prep 28 SE Halifax 20 2ot